Welcome to BRINKguide
To make a new breed of travel guide, we deployed locals. They looked under the surface, on the margin, on the BRINK of their own cities. They are entrenched in the culture of their city and can share the secret gems in their own backyards.
Cafe Festa
1832, Laxmi Narain Street, Chuna Mandi, Paharganj
Delhi, NEW DELHI
The food here does not stand out among many other multi-cuisine cafes in Paharganj, but with internet access and wi-fi, this is a good stop for coffee or cocoa.
One Stop Travel Shop
You might be the type who veers away from tourist information pagodas, travel information offices, and bland wayfaring literature. But let's face it: if you don't know where you want to go next, or if your coffers are running dry, it might make sense to find some cheap-o deals for train, bus, and coach travel around town. Queues are expected at One Stop, but it's worth the wait. There's also a location at the Brighton Train Station, so give 'em a chance to make your travels more pleasant.
Clothes Contact
473 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA
Vintage by the pound! Often picked-over, you'll undoubtedly walk away with something delightful. With a large assortment of men's and women's items, this place is crazy full of delights. The staff always looks ridiculously cute and they're always horribly stupid, but you'd have to travel to Berkeley to find a comparable store. Not everything is priced by the pound, and some things can certainly be on the expensive side.
Earnest Sewn & Flower Shop
90 Orchard Street
New York, NY
Hipster clothing store famous for its denim jeans - and let's just go ahead and face it, they'll never go out of style. There are many locations, but this Lower East Side installment also features a unique flower store. Check out their wares and pick up a rose for that special someone.
Casali di Margello, San Salvatore di Fitalia (ME)
Contrada Margello, San Salvatore di Fitalia
San Salvatore di Fitalia, ME
A four star agriturismo, immersed in a typical Nebrodi landscape in the Valley of Fitalia, Casali di Margello is an authentic corner of Sicily that contains natural, environmental and architectural treasures. The farm is extended on over 120 acres of hill land shaded by olive, chestnut, hazelnut and fruit trees. This farm holiday resort in Northern Sicily is located midway between Messina and Palermo and offers its guests two swimming-pools, a bowls field, toys for children, a five-a-side football field, table tennis, and mountain bikes. Plenty of activities and spectacular panoramas of the Aeolian Islands - this is a great vacation destination for the whole family.
Doma Cafe & Gallery
17 Perry Street
New York, NY
Genuine West Village atmosphere – crowded tables of students, artists, and professionals. This is where they come to eat, to chat about projects, and get a little bit of work or reading done. Take it all in with a caffeine-drenched americano or, if we're downshifting, a glass of wine. This is a great place to lounge with a small group in the afternoons. Enjoy.
Presidio
Presidio of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Georjan Guest House
27 Upper Rock Gardens
Brighton,
The Georjan is a neat little B&B with a funky-spelled name, which can only mean it's a great place to visit, right? But seriously, it's all pretty fabulous, with full English Breakfast and surprisingly 'proper' silver cutlery. Exceedingly clean rooms, television, and always a warm welcome. Only minutes from the sea, this might be just the place for you.
Al Caprice Café
You may or may not feel self-conscious, surrounded by folks playing on the beaches while vacationing in lovely Sicily. Whether or not this is the case, you ARE on vacation and you had BETTER enjoy it. Some of the best desserts and pastries can be found right here, at Al Caprice in Catania. It's worth the diminishing sense of self-respect. Seriously.
Global Exchange
4018 24th St.
San Francisco, CA
This is your place for some guilt-free shopping. All of the products are fair trade or eco-friendly. Creative finds - like dishware made from recycled magazines, hand-painted pottery, recycled-tire purses, hemp clothing, and funky jewelry - are waiting here for you. And let's face it, you could always use another Putomayo CD.
Apple Store (SoHo)
103 Prince Street
New York, NY
Even if you are a PC, forget about the blue screens and viruses for a moment; you can still suck it up and take a look at the wares here in SoHo. The amphitheater features free lectures with filmmakers, authors, musicians, and actors on a regular basis, which is kind of a cool diversion, and interesting, too, considering the venue. This, of course, is all in addition to the daily free classes on Mac products.
The Standard
848 Washington Street
New York, NY
Say hello to the latest conquest of poobah hotelier Andre Balazs. The Standard manages to elevate geeky nerds and cheeky rich kids to new heights: that of impenetrable ego. Straddling the High Line elevated park, deciding to stay in this unnatural architectural wonder actually makes you feel more powerful. Hipster-chic, indeed.
San Buena Taco Trucks
22nd st and harrison
San Francisco, CA
Depending on where you're from, you might be reluctant to buy food from a street vendor or taco truck. Take it from us, though: if you know what you're doing, you'll have the best tacos and tamales of your life. As taco trucks go, the tacos from San Buena trucks are consistently fresh and tasty. There's usually a couple parked in different spots around the Mission, and there's usually one in the Financial District. Try the carne asada basic...or two, or three...
The Capital Grille
120 Broadway
New York, NY
High-end steakhouse chain with high-end prices. Watch your wallet and go for lunch only. It's not that the food isn't good, it's just a little on the unreasonable side. I mean, not a bad place to grab a twenty dollar burger with truffle fries, but if you have dinner in Chinatown, then you'll probably break even for the day. Enter from Nassau Street, not Broadway.
Coit Tower
1 Telegraph Hill
San Francisco, CA
Coit Tower has a unique history – it was built with money bequeathed by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, an eccentric fire-chasing socialite and patron saint of San Francisco firefighters. While we don’t recommend actually climbing up the tower (the view is not much different from what you get below, plus it’s $5 and a wait), we do recommend visiting the grounds for a stunning, and free, 360 degree view of the city, especially at sunset. Also check out the social realist murals in the tower’s lobby, some of California's best examples of depression-era public art. To get to Coit Tower, we recommend taking the Filbert Steps one way and the Greenwich Street Stairs the other (both accessible from Sansome St.), and get some great views and serious exercise. Or grab the #39 MUNI bus leaving from Pier 39 or Washington Square, which will drop you off right at the base of the tower. Whatever you do, don’t drive, since parking in the area is a bitch.
Les Desirs Patisserie
236 9th Avenue
New York, NY
The almond croissants and macaroons are only two of the reasons this Chelsea patisserie has been around for almost fifty years. If you're feeling a wee bit peckish, come and nibble on some sugar-infused goodness.
Museo Mandralisca
Via Mandralisca 13
Cefalù, PA
Don't expect too many paintings here, ladies and gents, although there are a couple of noteworthy works. The Museo Mandralisca - founded by the Baron of Madralisca in the 19th Century - includes mostly examples of archeological significance. Coins, vases, and shell collections are what one should expect to peek at, here on the west side of the Piazza del Duomo in Cefalù. If you don't like artifacts, you're in the wrong place.
Castro Theatre
429 Castro St.
San Francisco, CA
The Castro Theater is gorgeous. It's got history and character and is ALWAYS screening pure gold. Arthur Conan Doyle's 1925 The Lost World was once set to LA indie group Dengue Fever's reinterpretation of the soundtrack. AMAZING! New movies are often featured as well as marathon features, classics, and film festivals. Snacks cost about a hundred bucks more than at other theaters so sneak in your own treats.
Oficina Latina
24 Prince Street
New York, NY
Bistro offering Pan-American cuisine in a setting that recalls the steps along the Pan American Highway. The unique vibe of the space transports you to a mechanic's garage along the route--a fun take on eating and drinking. Happy hour offerings throughout the week and an outdoor area that's just as charming as indoors add to the draw of this spot.
Port O' Leith Bar
58 Constitution Street
Edinburgh,
A no-frills Edinburgh institution full of rowdy drinkers and great banter. It's a bit of a dive, but that adds to the raucous atmosphere of this old sailors' pub. There's always a bit of tension, so keep your nose clean unless you want an ass-kickin' to finish things off for the night! Great weekend DJ's and a proper sing-song at closing time, too! Cheap drinks and fast service.
de Young Cafe
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA
Hip, chic, elegant. Have fun creating your own three-course meal. The fare is sustainable & local, and the ingredients are seasonal, so you can feel good about your purchase. Even the water has a twist: infused with lemon, orange, mint, or cucumber.
A Tempo
290 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY
A mix of in-house and other fresh, playful designs, this boutique is an oasis for shoppers in search of something other than an expensive yawn on the Upper West Side. A Tempo has dresses, jackets, unique tops, jewelry, bags and belts, all in a friendly few square feet. Just keep in mind, folks, that prices range from $100-$500, so make sure you have the dough! Either that, or some really quick fingers.